Cakbtjbetek



mam/E6555 F. L. KINGSTON.

CARBURETER. v

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1914.

Patented Aug, 8,1916.

diff/75.

FRANK L. KINGSTON, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

GARBURETER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Application filed March 4, 1914. Serial No. 822,266.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, FRANK L. KINcsToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of (luyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Carbureters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the ac companying drawings.

This invention relates to carburetors and has for its general object the provision of a carburetor of greater ctliciency than previous devices of this character, together with a decided decrease in complexity and cost of manufacture.

Further and more specifically stated, the objects of this invention are the provision of a device of this character wherein the can bu rcting chamber is formed without pockets or chambers in which any excess of combustible liquid can become lodged and temporarily escape evaporation; the provision of new and improved expedients for directing the inflowing air upon the liquid discharge nozzle; the provision of new and improved expedients for permitting an increase in the amount of air admitted upon an increase in speed of the engine; the provision of new and simplified means for securing together the parts of the carburetor whereby the con struction is cheapened; while further objects and advantagcsof the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In previous carburetors it has been suggested to provide the carbureting chamber with certain air admission apertures which shall remain open at all times and with other air admission apertures arranged to be opened upon an increase in the speed of the engine so as to permit the admission of an excess of air. These sets of apertures have frequently been separated to a greater or less degree by walls or partitions within the carbureting chamber, and it has been found that in some instances an excess of. gasolcne injected into the chamber would become trapped in one of these pockets where it would not be dislodged or evaporated during the normal running of the engine, but would become available as soon as the excess air apertures were opened; the result being that instead of a further decrease in the richness of the charge as would be expected and desired, there would be a sudden very great enrichment of the same with the result that the engine would operate unevenly, Ac-

difficulty by avoiding all such walls or partitions, substituting other means for concentrating the air stream upon the end of the fluid nozzle, the means here shown consisting of a rounded, or spherical body about which the air current may flow, and which also, in the preferable embodiment, forms the valve wherebyexeess air is admitted at high speed. This construction also gives rise to certain additional very marked advantages as will hereafter be pointed out. i

In the drawings accompanying andforming a part of this application, and in which one embodiment of .my invention is illus .trated, Figure l is a vertical, central, crosssectional view through my improved carburetor; Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the preferred form of closure member for the bittom of the carbureting chamber; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same; Fig. 4 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of closure member; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the devices shown in Fig. 4;; Fig. 6 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4:; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a third form of closure device; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a vertical, cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the parts of the preferred type of closure member, the same being shown separated from each other.

Describing the parts by reference characters, my improved carburetercomprises a cylindrical carbureting chamber 1, preferably supported in an upright position and having atits upper end a suitable fitting 2 whereby it may be connected to the inlet manifold of an internal combustion engine in the usual manner. this fitting being preferably provided with a throttle valve 3 which maybe of the butterfly type as shown. Projecting into the side of this carbureting chamber and preferably at an oblique angle is a nozzle tube t which is preferably formed with an enlarged bore at each end as indicated at 5 and 6 respectively, there being a constricted portion 7 betweenthese bores, such constricted po tion being preferably spaced from the discharge end of the tube by a distance equal to substantially .the tubes diameter. Also the length of the constricted portion is preferably made very short so as to diminish as much as possible seats are ground to the same angle so as to minimize the possibility of sticking or deformation.

The bore 5 of the tube communicates with the fuel receptacle by means of a suitable aperture 9. The nozzle tube is mounted at an angle partly to cause the bore 6' at its inner end to form a kind of cup, and partly to aflord a communication between the inner end and the liquid in the receptacle, and partly because the oblique arrangement of the opening at the end of the tube seemsto facilitate the carburation of the air.

The fluid receptacle is here shown as surrounding the chamber 1, although so far as concerns my present invention any suitable or convenient type of receptacle could be employed. However an annular receptacle with the nozzle tube exactly at its center is the preferred arrangement because of the fact that the liquid level at the nozzle can be'rendered independent of the inclination of the carburetor. Whatever the nature of the receptacle the same is provided with a float valve or other liquid controlling device whereby a liquid level is maintained substantially at but not above the level of the lower edge of the cup 6. In the present 6H:l' bodiment the float is indicated at 10 and isadjusted to maintain the levelot liquid at a point not lower than a nor higher than 5 and preferably at the lower of these levels. This causes a small quantity of the fuel to remain inside the cup while the engine is still, and forms a priming charge to aid in starting. Also this arrangement appears to afford a double atomizing action, the first taking place at the end of the bore 7 and the second at the lip of the cup 6. it will be understood that when. the engine is running the cup 6 is empty of liquid, the swirling of the air stream about the lip of the cup serving to break up the liquid into spray at the instant of its issuance from the orifice 7.

This spray is subdivided again by the air.

stream blowing past the lip ofthe cup The lower end of the carbureting chamber is provided with a closure member arranged to vary the amount of air admitted depending upon the engine suction, and also to dis tribute this entering air throughout the whole carburetor chamber so as to sweep the entire interior thereof. In its preferred form this closure member consists of a thin circular sheet metal p ate 12 having a flange flexible tongues 17, one end of this elbow being interiorly grooved or embossed .as at 18 so as to embrace the portions 14 and 15. This elbow can be turned in anv direction to receive the air enter the connection of an air supply pipe.

The central portion of the plate 12 is formed with an. aperture 20, and the web of the plate with additional apertures or passageways 21. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 10 the apertures or passageways 21 are formed as branches of the central aperture and the reason for th1s wlll be pointed out hereafter. Seated upon the edges of the aperture 20 isJa ball valve 22, whose size and weight are determined by considerations hereinafter set forth, while asuitable cage 2 is provided for preventing the too great displacement of the ball 22. With this construction it will be found that, due to the thinness of the plate 12 a very great quantity of air will pass through the apertures or passageways 2i owing to the smallness of, the friction upon the edges of the openings. Immediately atter'passing this plate the air expands markedly, also following around the curvature of the ball 22 so as to sweep the entire chamber, but with slightly greater velocity along the axis of the chamber than at the walls thereof. The rapid passage of the air stream past the ball22 causes a region of low pressurev immediately above the ball, which'region persists up the axis of the carbureting chamber for a considerable distance. This axial low-pressure region causes the air passing through the chamber to converge toward the axis fora distance, and then expand again,

and the spray nozzle is located so as to touch this axial low-pressure region, preferably at the point of greatest convergence of the airstream. it is a well known physical fact that the point of highest velocity and of lowest pressure are always the same, wherefore the location of the nozzle at this pointpermits the highest aspirating and atomizing efiect upon the liquid and its most thorough mixing with the air. In case the speed of the engine shall increase, the degree and extent of this low pressure region will also increase, tlius increasing the flow both of air and fuel, and with a proper choice of ball valve as to weight and size the same will be lifted so as to uncover more or less of the aperture 20. With this increase of vacuum surrounding the nozzle an increasingly rapid fuel flow is secured, but it is also found that this increasing vacuum serves to deflect the air stream more lon as the ball is forced to remain within the proper range of movement, this point of maximum convergence may be maintained substantially at the lower lip of the nozzle, which is the most favorable condition; the position of the plate 12 within the chamber is adjusted to define one limit of this move ment and the height of the cage 24' to define the'other limit of this movement, and the variation of air and fuel supply obtainable within this range of movement is sullicicnt for the needs of any one make of en ine.

The location of this plate 12 along the axis of the chamber must be made with great accuracy since a change of l-64th inch in either direction from the position of highest efficiency 'will injure greatly the operation of ihe device, lnasmuch as this location ,depends upon the diameter of the chamber,

' the size of the openings, the position of the spray nozzle, and the character of the engine, it is impossible to give any direction tlr t will apply to all conditlons but it is possible to make an adjustable plate and set it experimentally to the point where the engine, runs most ei'liciently (which can be v;very easily determined) and when this has been done all other carlmreters when made to the same measurement will be found to operate with equal accuracy with engines of the same make and type, so that no adjustment of the plate is necessary in any carbureter except the first.

The size of the ball may be varied within reasonable limits without affecting materially the operation of the carlmreter, and this property taken in connection with the possibility of obtaining balls of different Weights (as by making them with walls of differing thickness or alloys) renders it possible to choose a ball which will rise from its seat at the proper speed increase and regulate at all times the rate of air admission. 'lhis, also. can be found ily by *cii'periment but the determination is not difficult. lt will be understood that the size of the ball is determined by the size of the chamber and the size of the apertures 21. The Weight of the ball must be adjusted without materially varying the size which is best done by making same hollow with its walls of varying thickness, care being taken tii iKeep such thickness uniform so that the ball will be balanced. The best plan is to form the ball of sheet metal by the use of suitable punches and dies.

I In case the ball be lifted from its seat, the air entering through the central aperture 20 will also tend to follow the circumference of the ball and will likewise be discharged mainly along the axis of the car bureting chamber. Thus, whether the air enters only through the marginal apertures or through both marginal and central apertures, the main force of the stream is confined to the center of the chamber and without theemployment of walls or partitions whereby any part of the fluid fuel may be entrapped or by which uniformity of discharge can'be destroyed. In addition the convergence of these upwardly moving streams of air setsup a marked swirling movement in the air column thus serving to atomize and break up the liquid fuel with great efficiency, and to mix all portions of the charge thoroughly together so that a very uniform mixture is obtained.

In Figs. 4, 5 and (3 I have illustrated a modified form of closure member in' which the marginal apertures 21 are distinct from the central aperture 20, and are of accurate form, following the circumference of the ball v In Figs. 1', S and 9 l have illustrated another form of closure member in which the marginal apertures 21" are distinct from the central aperture 20', but are of circular form, a larger number being employed to obtain the requisite area. In both of these modifications the central portion of the plate between the apertures 21 or 21 and the corresponding central aperture 20 or 20" is depressed as shown at 23 so as to bringthe upper face of the plate 12 or 12" more nearly to the plane of the center of the ball valve and thus to cause the air entering these apertures to pass tangentially by the ball. in case a flat plate is used the. device, though still operative, will be found less oilicient than before, apparently because of the fact that the air expands too far beneath the ball and the latter, instead of operating to converge the air stream, serves to spread and confuse it. The same dilliculty is encountered if the ball. is made too large ()n the other hand if the ball be made too shall its effect will also be decreased, altbijugh with less detriment to the operation than in case the ball he made too large.

- The size and total area of the apertures" peculiarities of the engine which cause it to require excess air at a higher or lower speed. 0W1l g t0 the great diversity among engines more uniform regulation which the former device appears to permit. in case the man v glnal apertures are distinct from the central possible to substitute o'- aperture, the ball 22 will not rise until the engine suction has reached a comparatively high point and will then rise with a sudden jump, making a very sudden change in the mixture; conversely, however, when the engine is slowed down the ball will not subside to its seat until the suction has fallen to a much lower-point than that at which it rose. 111 case the marginal apertures made as branches of the central apeiftxue, as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 1.0 hereof, the ball rises at a much earlier point in the operation i the engine and. the dilution of the mixture is much more gradual. As regards the concentration of the air uponthe fuel nozzle and the vor tical effect along the aKis of the mu'bureting chambelg'all of the modifications here shown exhibit the same effect.

Another feature of my invention that I. consider novel and important is the admis sion oi the normal air supply at a point outside of the excess air supply, whereby two important objects are attained: first, that the convergence and mingling of these streams upon the :Fuel nozzle produces a more complete and uniform cai'buration, and second that the alls of the chamber are always kept dry and free from fuel. In addition the combined action of the air admission devices here disclosed and the peculiai' in of fuel nozzle illustrated pro duce be so ts than with any other type of nozzle with which l n familiar. It is lei: types of nozzle and still operate the carburetor with a considerable degree of success, but the peculiar air condition obtained in this carburetor first causes the fuel liquid .to be broken up-into spray immediately upon its issuing from the constriction 7 and the rush ofthe air stream past the lip of the nozzle causes a second atomizing of this spray. This action is totally independent of the shape of "the needle or the needle seat or the length of the needle, and, in addition, the presence of the cup 6 prevents flooding While still allording an excess of fuel for starting purposes. The only essential requirement is that the nozzle (in case this cup nozzle be employed) must be located obliquely to the air stream,

memo? operation of my improved carburetor, and

all such modifications I esteem Within the purview of my patent rights; o

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is 1. In a carburetor, the combination, with a cylindrical carbureting chamber, and a fluid fuel supply nozzle projecting into said chamber and communicating with a source of fluid fuel supply, said chamber communieating at one side with an inlet fitting, of a closure traversing said chamber at the opposite side cl said nozzle from said fitting, said closure having a central high-suction ain inlet and also having a plurality oilovvsuction air-inlets surrounding said central inlet, and means located in the center of said chamber and spaced from the a "all thee-col for concentrating upon said nozzle the air entering through all of said inlets.

2. In a carburetor, the combination, with a carbureting chamber and a nozzle tube projecting into said chamber, of a rounded body supported at one side 01" said nozzle, and means for admitting air to said chamber at the sides of said body whereby such enter-- ing air Will follow the curvature of said body and be concentrated upon said nozzle.

3. In a carburetor, the combinatioi'i, with a carbureting chamber having an air i" and a mixture outlet at opposite points, and a nozzle tube projecting into chamber between said inlet and outlet, of iroux'idcd body located in saidchainber between said inlehand'said'nozzle tube and having diamete'r-v greater than that of the nozzle tub-e, whereby the entering air will. follow the curvature ofsaid' body and be concentrated upon saidnozzle.

4. In a carburetor, the combination, "w fluid fuel receptacle and carbur cg c nicer, of a nozzle tube coluinuniciaing Wi i. such receptacle and projecting into said carbureting chamber, a plate on j' ii-"ted transversely of the lower end of said chamber and having a plurality of air-inlet apertures awanged around its periphery, and means located inside said chamber lJGlZWEG said plate and said nozzle for conccnt "h upon the discharge end 0;? 1

b said nozzle the air entcrin through all of said apertures.

5. In a carburetor, the combination, with afluid fuel receptacle and an upright carbureting chamber, of. a nozzle tube communicatingwvith such receptacle and projecting into said cai'bui'eting chamber, between its upper and lower ends a plate sun meager ported transversely of the lower end of said chamber and having a plurality of air-inlet apertures arranged around its periphery, and a rounded smooth-surfaced body supported in said chamber between said plate and said nozzle and having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the circle inscribed Within said apertures, whereby the air entering through said apertures may be deflected around the surface of said bodyand concentrated upon said nozzle.

(3/ In a earbureter, the combination, with a carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting into said chamber and communicating with a source of fluid fuel supply, said chamber communicating at one end with aninlet fitting, of a plate traversing said chamber at the opposite side of said nozzle from said inlet fitting, said plate having a central seating portion and a plurality of circularly arranged air-inlet apertures surrounding said seating portion, and a smoothsurfaced spherical body located in said seating portion, the diameter of said body being such that the air entering said apertures will pass tangentially thereof so as to be concentrated upon said nozzle tube.

7. In a carbureter, the combination, with a carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting into said chamber and communicating with a source of fluid fuel supply, said chamber communicating at one end with an inlet fitting, of a. plate traversing said chamber at the opposite side of said nozzle from said inlet fitting, said plate having a cent ral seating portion and a plurality of peripherally arranged air-inlet apertures iurrounding said seating portion, the center if said seating portion being cut away to form an aperture, and a spherical valve member located above said seating portion and arranged to seat upon the edges of said last-named aperture, the diameter of said member being such that the air entering through said first-named apertures will pass tangentially thereof and be concentrated upon said nozzle tube, and the Weight of such valve member being such as to permit it to be displaced upon the occurrence of a predetermined diiierence of pressure .w1thin and without said chamber whereby the amount of air admitted maybe increased.

8. In a carbureterfthe combination, with a substantially upright carbureting chamber ranged therearound, and ,a' spherical valve member located within said chamber upon said closure member and adapted to cover said central aperture to close the same, the diameter of said valve member being such that the air entering said circumferential apertures will pass by the same substantially tangentially and thereby be converged upon said nozzle tube.

9. In a carbureter, the combination, with a substantially upright carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting thereinto and communicating with a source of fluid fuel supply, the upper end of said chamber being in comm uni *ation with an inlet fitting, of a closure member for the lower end of said chamber and having a central aperture and a plurality of circumferential apertures grouped around the same, a spherical valve member located within said chamber upon said closure member and adapted to rest upon said central aperture to close the same, the diameter of said valve member being such that the air entering said circumferential apertures will pass by the same substantially tangentially and thereby be conver ed upon said nozzle tube, and a skeleton cage secured to said closure member and arranged to limit the displacement of said valve member from 10. In a carbureter, the combination, with a tubular member defining a carbureting chamber, the lowermost portion of said tubular member being flared outwardly, of aclosure member adapted for insertion into the lower end of said tubular member and having a flaring portion arranged to contact with said first flaring portion, and a channeled connecting member adapted to embrace said flared portions and hold the same together.

11. In a carburetor, the combination, with a tubular member defining a car-bursting chamber, the lowermost portion of said tubular member being flared outwardly, of a closure member adapted for insertion into the lower end of said tubular ll'ltdl'll'ldl and having a flaring portion arranged to contact -said first flaring portion, and an elbow member split into two longitudinal halves and having at one end an internal peripheral groove arranged to be disposed around said flared portions whereby the same may be held together.

12. Ina carbureter, the combination, with an upright carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting thereinto from one of the side walls thereof and melting; an oblique angle with the chamber axis, said nozzle terminating in an obliquely opening cup located substantially in the axis of said chamber, the upper end of said chamber being arranged for coimection to the inlet pipe of an engine, of a closure traversing the lower end of said. chamber and having high-suction and low-suction, air-admission openings, and means for directing the air entering through all said openings closely past the edge of said cup.

'13. In a carbureter, the comblnatlon, wlth an upright carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting thereinto from one of its side walls and communicating with a source of liquid fuel supply, said nozzle terminating in a cup located substantially in the axisof said chamber and having a restricted inlet at a point lower than its lip, of a closure traversing the lower end of said chamber and having high-suction and low suctionair-admission openings, and means for directing the air entering through all of said openings closely past the lip of said cup, the plane of said lip making an oblique angle with the direction of th: air stream.

14-. In a carbureter, the combination, with a fuel liquid receptacle and an elongated carbureting chamber, of a fluid fuel nozzle projecting thereinto from one of its side walls and commitlnicating with said receptacle, said nozzle terminating in'a. cup located substantially in the aXis of said chamher and having a restricted inlet at a point lower than its lip, one end of said chamber being arranged for connection to the inlet of an engine, a closure traversing the other end of said chamber and having air-admission openings, means for directing the air entering through all of said openings closely past the lip of said cup, the plane of the cup lip making an oblique angle with the direction of said air stream, and means for maintaining in said receptacle a level-of fluid fuel at a point lower than said cup lip and higher than said liquid inlet.

15. In a carburetor, the combination, with a-carbureting chamber having an air inlet and a mixturecoutlet at opposite points, and a nozzle tube projecting into said chamber between inlet and outlet, of a rounded body located in said chambervbetween said inlet and said nozzle tube and having a diameter greater than that of said nozzle tube, the distance between said body and said nozzle tube being such that the edge of the tube falls substantially at the point of maximum concentration of the air stream flowing around said body.

16. In a carbureter, the combination, with an upright carbureting chamber and a nozzle tube projecting into said "chamber between the top and bottom of the same there nice-gee? apertures, the distance between said plate and said nozzle tube being such as 'to bring the latter into the region of maximum concentration of the air stream passing around said valve."

17. In a carbureter, an upright carlouret ing chamber, a nozzle tube projectingi'nwardly through the- 'alls thereof, and iin air inlet device beneath said nozzle tube and in the same chamber therewith, the highbeing arranged for attachment to an inlet manifold and the other end having an apertured closure, of a hollow metal valve mem-.

ber of spherical shape within said chamber and adapted to seat upon said closure tOjobstruct an aperture therein, the diameter-of" said valve member bemg selected to cause,

the air stream to become concentrated upon said nozzle and its weight being selected to cause its obstructing effect to vary with the suction.

19. In a earburetenthe combination, with an upright carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting into said chamber intermediate its ends, one end of said chamber being arranged for attachment to an inlet manifold and the other end having an apertured closure, of a hollow spherical valve member made of sheet metal and located within said chambe' and arranged to seat upon said closure and obstruct the passage of air through the apertures thereof, the

thickness of the walls of said valvemember being ei 'erywhere the same.

20. In a car-burcter, the combination, with a carbureting chamber and a fluid fuel nozzle projecting into said chamber and communicating with a source of fluid fuel supply, said chamber communicating at one end with an inlet fitting, of a closure -tor said chamber at the opposite side of said nozzle from said inlet fitting, said closure having a seating portion and a plurality of air inlet openings arranged around said seating por- ,tion. the center of said seating portion being i cut away to form an aperture, and a hollow metal, valve member located above said seating pnrtion and arranged to cover said last aperture, the diameter of sziid member, being such that the air entering said first na med openings will pass closely by the same, and the thickness of its Walls being such as to permitit to be elevated from its seat upon the occurrence of a predetermined difference of pressure'within and Without meme"? said cliamlieriwhereby the amount'of air 21. A narbureter having chamber, a liquid fuel nozzle in said chamber, there-being a mixture outlet from said chamber at one side of said nozzle and it I plurality of air inletsat the other side of said nozzle, certain air inlets being arranged for high suction and others for low suction, and all of said air inlets communi? catingwith said chamber at the opposite side of said nozzle from said mixture outlet,

valve means cooperating with said high suction inlets and arranged to be'op'enecl upon apredetermined increase in engine 8116331011, a carbureting' and provisions-for concentrating upon the mouth of. said' nozzle the air entering through all of said inlets. i

In testimony whereof, lherelmto nilifx my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK L. inneris'ir n."

Witnesses:

HAROLDE-SMITH,

BRENNAN B. Wns'r. 

